WASHINGTON – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a program worth $171.5 million to help students complete their educational journey and strengthen the school system in El Salvador.
The program aims to enhance access, quality, and retention in the educational system, with a focus on elementary and secondary education levels. It will also support vulnerable populations, such as students with disabilities, who will be provided with assistive technologies and specialized training for their teachers. The initiative will also support the educational reintegration of returned children with psychosocial support strategies, academic protocols, and inter-institutional coordination.
The operation includes the expansion of educational offerings through the construction and rehabilitation of 65 schools with resilient infrastructure and universal accessibility, as well as the implementation of alternative educational modalities and school transportation.
The loan will support educational quality, including the training of over 28,000 teachers and 2,300 principals in innovative pedagogical practices, as well as the delivery of educational materials to more than 3,200 schools. The program will develop tools to monitor the vulnerability of school infrastructure. It is estimated that the initiative will directly benefit more than 723,000 students, 1,500 students with disabilities, and 4,500 returned students.
The IDB financial package includes a $150 million loan with a 25-year amortization period, a 5.5-year grace period, and an interest rate based on SOFR. It also includes $21.5 million in non-reimbursable financing from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Fund, the Strategic Climate Fund, and the IDB Non-Reimbursable Financing Facility
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the IDB works with the region’s public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
Planes,Maria Soledad

Malespin Bendana,Shirley

Project Information
The IDB and El Salvador
The Country Office of El Salvador aims to contribute to generating sustainable and inclusive economic growth, capable of facing current challenges and providing better opportunities and access to basic services for the population, thereby contributing to reducing levels of poverty and inequality.